7-Day Highlights of Japan
View Trip Map
Download
Share
Terms and Conditions
Overview
This trip is highly recommended for those that are a little short on time but want to visit Japan and experience the highlights over a week!
Over seven days, you'll embark on an adventure to visit three of Japan's most sought after destinations: Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara.
First, you'll experience the wonderfully chaotic capital and all of its unique districts. You'll then continue to Kyoto, a place of exceptional historic value with countless temples, shrines and monuments to visit.
Finally, your trip will end in Nara, a city famous for its many UNESCO World Heritage Sites and friendly deer!
Over seven days, you'll embark on an adventure to visit three of Japan's most sought after destinations: Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara.
First, you'll experience the wonderfully chaotic capital and all of its unique districts. You'll then continue to Kyoto, a place of exceptional historic value with countless temples, shrines and monuments to visit.
Finally, your trip will end in Nara, a city famous for its many UNESCO World Heritage Sites and friendly deer!
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Tokyo!
Hide details 
Upon your arrival at Tokyo International Airport, you will be picked up by a personal driver and transferred to your hotel in the city centre. Depending on your arrival time, you will have some time to explore and get acquainted with the bustling city of Tokyo.
Accommodation
Hotel Gracery Ginza★3 star/Optional Activity: AU$ 459 per person
Transportations
Minivan from Narita International Airport to TokyoOptional Activity: AU$ 255 per person
Destinations
Chūō
Day 2
West Tokyo Highlights Tour
Hide details
Today, you will explore all of the most interesting sites located around the west side of Tokyo. Your walking tour will include sites such as Takeshita Street, the Shibuya Scramble crossing and the Meiji Shrine. Accompanied by your knowledgable guide, you will have plenty of opportunities to find a good photo spot, enjoy some shopping and dictate to your guide which sites you'd like to see.
Accommodation
Hotel Gracery Ginza★3 star/Optional Activity: AU$ 459 per person
Activities
The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
West Tokyo Tour with Private Local Guide
Meiji Shrine
Harajuku
Omotesandó
Shibuya Crossing
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Destinations
Chūō
Tokyo
Day 3
East Tokyo Highlights Tour
Hide details
Since Tokyo is quite a big city, you may need several days to explore. Today, you will explore East Tokyo with a friendly local professional guide. East Tokyo comprises a number of traditional and unique towns such as Asakusa, Ginza, Tsukiji Market, and Akihabara. The tour is easily customisable depending on where you want to go. There are many spots worth visiting such as the nostalgic neighbourhood of Yanaka, the Edo Tokyo Museum, Tokyo Skytree and Hamarikyu Garden.
Accommodation
Hotel Gracery Ginza★3 star/Optional Activity: AU$ 459 per person
Activities
Tsukiji Market
East Tokyo Tour with Private Local Guide
Ginza
Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street
Ueno Park
Akihabara
Destinations
Chūō
Tokyo
Day 4
High-Speed Train to Kyoto & East Kyoto Highlights Tour with Local Guide
Hide details
This morning, you will take a high-speed train to Kyoto. Once you arrive, you'll go on a tour to visit all of the main sights in East Kyoto. You will visit Fushimi Inari Shrine with its numerous red Tori gates, Sanjusangendo hall with 1001 wooden Buddha statues, the iconic Kiyomizu Temple and the Gion District. If you want, you can also add some more stops on the tour, such as Nishiki Market or the Silver Pavilion.
Accommodation
Daiwa Royal Hotel Grande KyotoOptional Activity: AU$ 459 per person
Activities
Fushimi Inari Taisha
East Kyoto Tour with Private Local Guide
Sanjusangendo
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Sanneizaka (Sannenzaka)
Gion District
Transportations
High-Speed Rail from Tokyo Station to Kyoto StationOptional Activity: AU$ 228 per person
Destinations
Chūō
Kyoto
Day 5
West Kyoto Highlights Tour
Hide details
In comparison to the east, the west side of Kyoto has more countryside and lush green landscapes. There are also several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and popular destinations such as the Golden Pavilion, Ryoan-ji Rock Garden, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Togetsu Bridge and Nijo Castle. All of these sites are worth a photo-stop, but you can add some more locations if you wish, such as Monkey park, Ninna-ji Temple or the Kamishichiken district.
Accommodation
Daiwa Royal Hotel Grande KyotoOptional Activity: AU$ 459 per person
Activities
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
West Kyoto Highlight Tour with Private Guide
Togetsu-kyō Bridge
Ryoanji Goryonoshitacho
Kinkaku-ji - The Golden Pavilion
Nijo Castle
Destinations
Kyoto
Day 6
Day Trip from Kyoto to Nara
Hide details
Today, you will visit Nara from Kyoto with a local guide. Nara is around one hour from Kyoto by local train. After arriving in Nara, you will explore Nara Park which is known as a deer park because there are lots of free-roaming deer. Also, there are lots of UNESCO World Heritage Sites which your guide will take you to and explain their history. The most iconic one is Todai-ji Giant Buddha Hall. You will be overwhelmed by how big the Buddha statue is here. In the evening, you'll return to Kyoto.
Accommodation
Daiwa Royal Hotel Grande KyotoOptional Activity: AU$ 459 per person
Activities
Day Trip to Nara from Kyoto with Private Guide
Kōfuku-ji
Naramachi
Nara Deer Park
Kasuga-Taisha Shrine
Todai-ji Temple
Destinations
Kyoto
Nara
Yamatokoriyama
Tenri
Day 7
Departure from Kyoto
Hide details
You will go to the airport for your outbound flight.
Transportations
Minivan from Osaka to Kansai International AirportOptional Activity: AU$ 192 per person
Destinations
Kyoto
Included in Price
- 31 activities
- Gratuities
- Licensed English speaking guides
Not Included in Price
- Airport transfer
- Alcohol beverages
- Domestic flights
- Entrance fees
- Entry visas / airport departure tax
- Ground transportation
- International flights
- Laundry
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Trekking permits
Want to Read This Later?
Download this trip itinerary as a PDF and start planning your next trip offline!
Low season price starting fromAU$2,266
per traveller sharing Terms and Conditions
Book with Flexibility
Flexible Payment
Book this trip today with a deposit and pay the rest 60 days before departure.
Extra Mile
Our dedicated Travel Concierge Team will work with you to manage any unforeseen changes, where possible.
Why Choose Designer Journeys
Access Exclusive Experiences
Open your eyes to a world of exclusive experiences that will make your next trip extraordinary. Designer Journeys’ local travel designers are connected to unique experiences that are out of reach for most people – so you’ll return with some amazing stories to tell.
Extraordinary Local Expertise
Using highly experienced local travel designers means you have access to your very own local expert. You'll find experiences you never knew existed, avoid some of the common pitfalls and, most of all, feel like you have an insider guiding you every step of the way.
Supported Every Step of the Way
Our in-destination local travel designers are the first line of support when you are travelling. They are in your time zone and have the local expertise and knowledge to solve any issue that may arise – making you feel more confident about your trip.
Travel Designed For You
Designer Journeys style of travel is all about how you want to travel – its private travel designed exactly to your needs. Our local travel designers customise every trip to suit you, whether completely bespoke or based on one or more of our 2,000+ gallery of itineraries.
It is great having local people who are able to tailor a trip to my individual needs. I love that I can chat to my consultant to make changes. The turnaround times from my brief were excellent.
Prompt and knowledgable of many areas and things to do. We felt like our requests were heard and they went above and beyond to provide a mixture of plans for our budget.
Sangita was amazing. She was always available by phone if needed and we felt no hesitation to be in contact. She listened to exactly what we asked for and got it right. All the people we met that worked with her were very trustworthy and honest. I would recommend her and all the people she works with. It was a very personal and well managed trip.
DESIGN YOUR EXTRAORDINARY
Why Travel with Designer Journeys
Your Trip. Your Version of Extraordinary.
At Designer Journeys, we know that we all travel differently. That's why you decide where you travel, how you travel and your travel experiences when you design your trip with us.
Connect and Design With an Expert.
Our trusted Local Designers use their destination insight, local knowledge and travel planning expertise to build your extraordinary trip. Our dedicated Travel Concierge team will be there every step of the way to ensure your perfect trip becomes reality.
Book with Confidence. We are Trusted.
Secure payment platforms, multiple accreditations, rigorous Local Designer selection process, and decades of travel expertise means you are in safe hands with Designer Journeys.
As seen on
Partners
